Pipe smokers{3 {0 folding combination tool

ABSTRACT

A disk has an arm extending from one face thereof. One end of a shaft is pivotally connected to the free end of the arm. The disk serves to tamp tobacco within the bowl of a smoker&#39;&#39;s pipe, while the shaft facilitates aerating the tobacco and cleaning the stem of the pipe. In one embodiment, the shaft when swung downwardly projects through the disk for simultaneous tamping and aerating. In another embodiment, the lower end of the shaft, when swung downwardly similarly, is spaced slightly upwardly from the upper face of the disk.

United States Patent [191 Bruget [111 3,890,982 June 24, 1975 1 PIPE SMOKERS FOLDING COMBINATION TOOL [76] Inventor: Bernard C. Bruget, 313 E. Catalina,

Yarnell, Ariz. 85012 [22] Filed: Oct. 15, 1974 [21] Appl. No.: 514,597

[52] US. Cl 131/243; 131/247 [51] Int. Cl. A24F 09/04 [58] Field of Search 131/243, 247

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 11/1864 Matile 131/247 X 366,61 1 7/1887 Richardson 3,777,766 12/1973 Kanady 131/243 3,830,243 8/1974 Bruget 131/243 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 343,271 10/1921 Germany 131/243 Primary Examiner-Joseph S. Reich Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Don J. Flickinger [5 7 ABSTRACT A disk has an arm extending from one face thereof. One end of a shaft is pivotally connected to the free end of the arm. The disk serves to tamp tobacco within the bowl of a smokers pipe, while the shaft facilitates aerating the tobacco and cleaning the stem of the pipe. In one embodiment, the shaft when swung downwardly projects through the disk for simultaneous tamping and aerating. In another embodiment, the lower end of the shaft, when swung downwardly similarly, is spaced slightly upwardly from the upper face of the disk.

1 Claim, 5 Drawing Figures 1 PIPE SMOKERS FOLDING COMBINATION TOOL This invention relates to pipesmokers equipment. More particularly, the invention concerns a pipe smokers tool for pressing tobacco into the pipe bowl,

aerating the tobacco within the bowl and for cleaning the bowl and stem of a pipe.

In a further aspect, the present invention concerns a multi-purpose pipe smokers tool which folds to a compact size to be conveniently carried upon the person.

The pipe smoker relies upon an array of implements to accomplish the various ritualistic chores incidental to smoking the pipe. A device for performing several chores is disclosed in the current inventors issued US. Pat. No. 3,830,243, entitled Pipe Smokers Tool. As described therein, the tool has elements for compacting or tamping tobacco within the bowl, for perforating or aerating the surface crust, and for scraping or picking dross from the interior of the bowl. The foregoing described tool adequately performed several functions and represented a substantial improvement over the prior art. However, it has now been discovered that greater utility can be embodied in an even more convenient device.

Accordingly, it is a principal object of the instant invention to provide an improved combination tool for use by the pipe smoker to perform the various chores incidental to pipe smoking.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a combination tool which is usable by the pipe smoker to attend to the tobacco during smoking, including the operations of pressing, tamping and aerating the tobacco. 1

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a combination tool which will assist the pipe smoker in cleaning the pipe to perform such tasks as picking and scraping ash and dross from the bowl and heel and removing residue from the stem.

Yet another object of the present invention is the provision of an improved pipe smokers combination tool which is conveniently and readily usable for singular or simultaneous functions as appropriate at the option of the smoker.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of an improved combination tool as above which is compactly foldable to be conveniently carried upon the smokers person.

Briefly, to achieve the desired objects of the present invention in accordance with a preferred embodiment thereof, first provided is a disk sized to be received within a pipe bowl and having an arm extending perpendicular from a face thereof. An elongate shaft is hingedly affixed at one end thereof to the free end of the arm. The tool has three basic positions the shaft in juxtaposition with the arm, the shaft generally perpendicular to the arm, and the shaft forming an extension of the arm. In the first position, the arm and shaft provide gripping means for the smoker to manipulate the disk, as for tamping the tobacco. The second position is preferred to aerating tobacco and cleaning the pipe bowl. The third position provides an extended length tool particularly suitable for cleaning the pipe stem.

In an alternately preferred embodiment, the shaft is substantially longer than the arm. The disk has a radial slit extending inwarldy therefrom to receive the lower portion of the shaft when the shaft is folded downwardly alongside the arm. The portion of the shaft extending through the disk aerates the tobacco during tamping. The simultaneous functions performed by the alternately preferred embodiment are in addition to the singular functions hereinbefore noted in connection with the first embodiment.

The previously stated and further and more specific objects and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments thereof, taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view ofa pipe smokers combination tool constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a horizontal sectional view taken along the line 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front elevation view of the device of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an alternately preferred embodiment of the pipe smokers combination tool of the present invention; and

FIG. 5 is a front elevation view of the embodiment of FIG. 4.

Turning now to the drawings, in which the same reference numerals indicate corresponding elements throughout the several views, attention is first directed to FIG. 1, which shows the pipe smokers tool having a disk 10 with an upper face 11. An arm 12, having a first segment 13 and a second segment 14, extends perpendicularly upward from the upper face 1 1 of disk 10. An elongate shaft 17, having first and second ends 18 and 19, respectively, is pivotally secured to the free end 20 of arm 12. by a pin 21.

Disk 10, as best seen in FIG. 2, is enlarged for clarity of illustration. As the device would be constructed, disk 10 is sized to be received within a pipe bowl and preferably have a diameter of approximately inch. Considering the diameter of the disk, the compact size of the combination tool is readily appreciated.

Disk 10 has an elongate aperture or slit 23 extending radially inward from the edge thereof which is sized to receive shaft 17 therethrough when the shaft is pivoted downwardly as illustrated in the dashed line position 17a. Preferably, the shaft as seen at 17a passes through the center of disk 10. First'segment 13 of arm 12 is directed inwardly to support second segment 14 alongside shaft 17 when in position 17a.

The extension of shaft 17 when in position 17a below the lower face 22 of disk 10 is clearly viewed in FIG. 3. In this position, the tool is used for simultaneously tamping and aerating tobacco within the bowl of a pipe. To perform tamping and aerating as independent functions, shaft 17 is moved to the angularly displaced solid line position, as noted in FIG. 1. The angular position of shaft 17 is also preferred when the shaft is used for picking and scraping residue and dross from the pipe bowl. Shaft 17, when rotated to the dashed line position 17b, forms an extension of second segment 14 to provide a tool of sufficient length for cleaning the stem of a pipe.

FIGS. 4 and 5 depict an alternately preferred embodiment of the invention having a disk 40 and an arm 41 extending upwardly therefrom and a shaft 42 generally similar to the embodiment herein previously described. However, the upper end 43 of arm 41 is bifurcated to receive the upper end 44 of shaft 42, which are pivotally connected by pin 47. In the downwardly directed position, shaft 42 bears against arm 41. It is particularly noted herein that shaft 42 is shorter than arm 41 and when shaft 42 is in the folded position, the lower end 48 thereof is spaced above the upper surface 49 of 5 disk 40. It will be appreciated that the immediate embodiment while in the folded position can be used to tamp tobacco without simultaneous aeration thereof as is desired by some pipe smokers. Other functions of the instant embodiment remain as previously described in connection with the embodiment of FIG. 1.

Various modifications and changes of the embodiments herein chosen for purposes of illustration will readily occur to those skilled in the art. For example, the free end of each shaft end 19 of shaft 17 and end 48 of shaft 42, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 4, respectively is rounded. Various smokers, in accordance with individual preference, may desire blunt, chisel or a spiral-pointed end, Further, it is recognized that for optimum utility and to retain the device in the folded position, the pivotal union between the shaft and the arm may not be of the free-swinging type. To retard movement between the elements, friction may be in duced by the pin arrangement. Alternately, each element may be provided with mating serrated faces or a waffled washer inserted therebetween.

Having fully described and disclosed the present invention and the presently preferred embodiments thereof in such clear and concise terms as to enable those skilled in the art to understand and practice the same, the invention claimed is:

1. A pipe smokers folding combination tool for tamping smoking tobacco within the bowl ofa smokers pipe, for aerating said tobacco, and for picking and cleaning the bowl and stem of said pipe, said tool comprising:

a. a disk sized to be inserted into a pipe bowl;

b. an arm extending from said disk generally perpendicular to a face thereof;

c. an elongate shaft hingedly affixed at one end thereof to the free end of said arm; and

(1. means defining an elongate aperture extending radially inward from the edge of said disk and sized to receive the free end of said shaft therethrough.

' l l l= Q UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION PATENT NO. 3, 90,9 2 DATED June 24, 1975 INVENTOR(S) Bernard C. Bruget It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Inventor's correct address:

Bernard C. Bruget 313 E. Catalina Phoenix, Arizona 85012 Q Signed and Sealed this ninth Day of September 1975 [SEAL] s Arrest:

ZILIJTH. C. MAISON C. MARSHALL DANN mung Officer Commissioner ()fIUIUHIX and Trmlcmurkr 

1. A pipe smoker''s folding combination tool for tamping smoking tobacco within the bowl of a smoker''s pipe, for aerating said tobacco, and for picking and cleaning the bowl and stem of said pipe, said tool comprising: a. a disk sized to be inserted into a pipe bowl; b. an arm extending from said disk generally perpendicular to a face thereof; c. an elongate shaft hingedly affixed at one end thereof to the free end of said arm; and d. means defining an elongate aperture extending radially inward from the edge of said disk and sized to receive the free end of said shaft therethrough. 